4 players Steelers would love to poach in the AFC North before deadline
By Tommy Jaggi
Steelers could trade for Bengals LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
Even with the trade for Jaguars linebacker Joe Schobert during the preseason this year, Pittsburgh’s linebackers have struggled mightily so far. This isn’t to say that Devin Bush and Schobert can’t turn things around, but adding some quality depth could help keep these guys fresh and give them the little nudge they need.
Unfortunately, it looks like Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson is going to be a stud. The 250-pound linebacker has been all over the field this year and he has made terrific strides in his second NFL season. However, there’s another young Cincinnati linebacker who could be on the table.
Akeem Davis-Gaither was picked one round after Wilson in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he is currently just a role player with Wilson and Germaine Pratt as the starters. Davis-Gaither is only 200 pounds, but he has terrific speed and lateral movement skills and has been solid in coverage.
This is an area where Pittsburgh has struggled in recent years at the linebacker position, and it hasn’t shown a lot of improvement with Bush and Schobert. Davis-Gaither gives them another linebacker who plays very well in space and could come in and help on sub-packages. He could be had for a day-three pick in 2023.